Patriots sign LB James Anderson, release WR Mark Harrison

The Patriots announced Wednesday they have signed veteran linebacker James Anderson and released wide receiver Mark Harrison.

Here’s a portion of the press release issued by the team:

Anderson, 30, is a veteran of eight NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2006-12) and the Chicago Bears (2013). The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder originally entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick of Carolina out of Virginia Tech in 2006. He was released by Carolina on March 12, 2013, and was signed by Chicago as a free agent on March 24, 2013. Anderson has played in 110 NFL games with 69 starts and has registered 556 total tackles, 12 sacks, three interceptions, 23 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Last season in Chicago, he started all 16 games and finished with 102 total tackles and four sacks. Anderson has totaled 100 or more tackles three times in his career, including a career-high and franchise-record 145 total tackles in 2011 with Carolina.

Harrison, 23, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent on May 20, 2013, out of Rutgers. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder spent the season on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List.